Customer Reviews

One World

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Written by Anglican priest and former professor of mathematical physics John C. Polkinghorne, One World: The Interaction of Science and Theology is the first book in a trilogy written to examine reality through the dual perspectives of science and religion. Chapters offer a historical reassessment of the scientific method, a defense of natural theology as a discipline, the concept of sacrament as the point of connection between scientific and theological understanding, discussions of creationism, determinism, prayer, miracles, and future life, and much more. "Theology differs from science in many respects because of its very different subject matter, a personal God who cannot be put to the test in the way that the impersonal physical world can be subjected to experimental enquiry. Yet science and theology have this in common, that each can be, and should be, defended as being investigations of what is, the search for verisimilitude in our understanding of reality." A serious-minded quest for truth, highly recommended.

John Polkinghorne in a sense stands between two worlds. On one hand, he was a noted scientist who specialized in mathematical physics. On the other he became a Anglican priest. In "One World", Polkinghorne gives readers a brief but very readable view of some of his opinions on science and theology. He shows what he feels are differences in mindsets and similarities as well. I don't agree with all of Polkinghorne's opinions (I am a Christian so it is specific points rather than his whole system that I disagree with), but I confess that he has the ability to make a person think outside the box. I recommend this book.

Had it up to here with pompous "Christian" dismissals of scientific endeavor? Ready to throw all Christians into that category?

Polkinghorn offers a refreshingly different and humble perspective as he explores ways in which the methodologies of science and of Christian theology are surprisingly consonant. He also suggests some intriguing possibilities for how these disciplines can inform each other.

A breath of fresh air in a room where so-called "scientific creationism" has made breathing difficult.